Lodi’s 16th Annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend, February 9th & 10th, 2013

WHO: Presented by LoCA – The Wines of Lodi, California. Over 50 boutique Lodi wineries specializing in quality, handcrafted wines.

WHAT: This year marks the sixteenth occasion of one of Northern California’s favorite Valentine’s Weekend celebrations: Lodi’s 16^th annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend. Bring someone special to Lodi Wine Country and fall in love with the diversity of handcrafted wines from the Lodi winegrowing region paired with decadent chocolate treats by Brix Chocolate.

Advance tickets cost $45 per person and $55 per person the day of the event.  Tickets include a commemorative wine glass, a chocolate gift, wine tasting and admission to all participating wineries. Attendees will have the opportunity to indulge in activities such as wine and chocolate pairings, live music, barrel tasting and cellar tours. Tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday and there is no charge for designated drivers.
 
WHEN: Festivities are scheduled for Saturday, February 9^th and Sunday, February 10^th, from 11am to 4pm each day.
 
WHERE: At participating wineries throughout the entire Lodi Wine Region. For additional details on locations, please visit lodiwineandchocolate.com.
 
MORE: The Lodi Wine Region, which has been  a major winegrape growing region since the 1850’s, and today is farmed by over 750 growers and is home to more than 80 boutique wineries. Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 100,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.
 
With more than 60 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long known as a superior producer of Zinfandel, including an estimated 2,000 acres of pre-Prohibition own rooted vines, the area also produces award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay. More recently, Lodi has begun producing varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others. In addition, Lodi is one of the leading wine regions in sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules™, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program, which implements green-farming practices.

For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit www.lodiwine.com.

CONTACT: For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. For additional event information, please contact Jenny Heitman of the Lodi Winegrape Commission at 209|367-0737 or jenny@lodiwine.com.